A general term for several disorders that cause nervousness, fear, apprehension, and worrying is defined by anxiety. Anxiety is a common disorder found in many children, teens, and adults.
Anxiety can be caused by many things such as stress, genetics, medical factors, brain chemistry, and use or withdrawal from addictive drugs. Symptoms of anxiety include sweating, dizziness, increased heart rate, and worrying.
According to adaa.org the most common type of anxiety is generalized anxiety disorder, also known as GAD. GAD can occur at any age and requires a medical diagnosis. The disorder can be treated by a medical professional through counseling and medication. Symptoms of GAD include constant worrying, restlessness, and trouble with concentration.
According to adaa.org. anxiety has been known to affect 25.1 percent of kids between the ages of 13 and 18. One of the main reasons these kids experience anxiety is because of school. Many of these kids take seven classes, whether they be regular, honors, AP, or dual credit. Many of these same kids are trying to not only balance their school work, but trying to balance sports, clubs, and jobs.
Being a student that undergoes this, anxiety can really take a toll on your life. Trying to balance two AP classes, three honors classes, five clubs, being a class officer, and playing a sport can cause extreme stress and anxiety. It doesn’t only affect how you are in the classroom, but it can affect who you are out of the classroom.
There are many programs that allow these children that undergo anxiety can go to get the help they need, such as guidance counselors found at school. Mooresville High School provides a program for any child that feels like they are undergoing anxiety. The program is called Adult and Child; and in the program, a counselor will work with the student to find a therapist for them. Adult and Child will allow the student to see a licensed therapist, known as a LMHC or a licensed mental health counselor, once a week. Many of the children that go through the program, have shown extremely positive results.
There are also many other options for kids outside of school, such as a seeing a therapist. Child and Family Psychotherapist Heather Teike is one of these therapist. Teike is TF-CBT certified, or Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certified. The traditional treatment she does for kids to manage anxiety with or without medication is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. Other forms of treatment include biofeedback and learning mindfulness/self awareness, relaxation strategies, deep breathing, emotion regulation strategies, guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, and yoga.
If not treated properly, anxiety can have a very negative impact on people’s lives. Most people look at anxiety as if it is nothing, and it isn’t something that can just be looked over. Anxiety affects many children that are in school, and is not only impacting them now, but is impacting their future.
